To call in sick to work tomorrow

[newmummylucy]

I started a new job in September and have had 1 day off when my DC was unwell and I didnt have childcare at the end of sept. I now am pretty sure I have a chest infection. I went to the pharmacist and he thinks its a chest infection...Im couging up yellow mucus and my chest hurts when im breathing in and i just feel generally unwell. AIBU to call in sick for a day? I dont want to seem like a liability. I have a desk job FYI

Do you have a temperature? If you do you'll need to contact GP urgently to get a scan. Pneumonia is not to take lightheartedly. If you feel able to work (no fever) then I would go in.

Chest infections can be serious or mild, bacterial or viral. Just because it's a 'chest infection' doesn't necessarily mean you're not fit for work. I wouldn't call in sick for a mild chest infection personally, so it depends how ill you are. If you're debating it, it probably means you're well enough to try to go in.

How have we got to a place where taking one day off in 3 months leaves you wondering whether you should go to work with a chest infection? I mean generic you, not you specifically OP.
This is what happens when you allow unions to be demonised.

That’s so true. I’m very glad I have an employer who would tell me to keep my germs away from the office and throw in the words ‘get well soon’.

I do too to be honest - my employers are really lovely but I just don't want to seem like im taking the piss

Any decent workplace and manager will see it for what it is, and will not read anything else into it. If you're ill, you're ill. Simple.

If you think you've got a chest infection see a GP urgently. I was really ill for a month and it took several courses of antibiotics to treat one this year. You can also get a doctor's note if you need time off so work can see it is legit.

I wouldn’t even blink if you were my direct report.

I don’t expect people to work when they’re ill.

Thanks - I was going to go to the GP tomorrow. Ive had pneumonia before afew years ago so I do want to be cautious

So did the pharmacist either refer you to the GP or prescribe you antibiotics?

yes he referred to GP

This is the best option.

Please don't take germs into office, especially at this time of year! If you're sick, you're sick. One of ours came in with a streaming cold last week and infected half the team. Your sick days sound unfortunate but not excessive. If your work etc is fine it won't affect probation.

Yes, do call in

You're not well

If I were your employer I'd rather you don't share your germs. Far easier to have you out for a couple of days this week, than the whole office off next! Plus if I were your team mates, I'd rather not go down with your chest infection. 1 day off since September is not a lot.

Same boat - horrible chesty cough, feel awful. Haven't had a sick day since January but did have a day of when my DS was off sick in May/June. My work/boss is very anti calling in sick, but I feel like I need to rest and am struggling to use my voice.

just call in sick, no need to drag yourself into the office.

As a manager, this wouldn't bother me. I have kids so I understand that they need taking care of when they are ill, the one day off in September wouldn't even register.

There are an ungodly number of awful bugs around at the moment. My own workplace has had over 60 incidents of sickness in less than a month, plus I have multiple people signed off with coughs and chest infections. I have dodged everything so far this year, so have my teens. No clue how!

That said, if you make a habit of regular, short term sickness this will get noticed espacially on probation. Sad, but true.

WFH if you can, just to show commitment. If you are ill, you are ill.

I hope you feel better soon!

Thankyou - unfortunately its not the type of job you can wfh but i'm not the type of person to make a habit of it. Bad timing i guess with new job starting right before flu season

By the sound of it you'll need more than a day to recover. Just do it!

Are you BU to call in sick when you are clearly sick? No

I understand your concerns about being thought badly of, but by not seeing the doctor when you need to, you risk being off longer.

At the very least, call work and tell them you are trying to get an emergency drs apoointment and you may be in later if you feel well enough (if this is a possibility with your job).

If you are feeling crap now with a chest infection, I am guessing you have already been job work coughing and spluttering so calling in sick isn't totally out of the blue.

*been at work

Merry Christmas colleagues - I’ve brought you my chest infection!

Stay home.

The first day was time off with your child so it’s different. If you’re genuinely poorly then take the time you need